7 Days to Die was initially released by the developers The Fun Pimps in July 2013. It was published by the same company together with Telltale Publishing for the console versions. It runs on the following platforms: Linux, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Playstation 4, and Xbox One, both in single-player and multiplayer modes.

The game is set in an post-apocalyptic open world featuring a survival horror genre with world-building content. The storyline happens in a fictional county of Navezgane, Arizona set after a nuclear Third World War took place therefore destroying large parts of the world. The player’s goal being a survivor of the said war is to survive through finding shelter, hording food and water, and gathering supplies to be able to fight off zombies who kill and eat survivors. The zombies are assumed to be the result of an unknown virus from the nuclear fallout. No ultimate goal is defined in the game but developers are considering of a development in future updates.

The single player’s game play structure is to fight the zombies who become aggressive by night, however slow and weak during the day. As the days go by, the zombies also become stronger. The play can also explore the vast environment of Navezgane, Arizona and find food and water. Planting and hunting is also possible and recipes are provided as a unique feature. Creating a shelter is also a huge feature of the game with the player’s ability to gather materials to build houses and destroy existing ones for own use. The game is designed with a physics-simulated environment affecting the built shelter depending on its material and stability. Weakly built shelter lead to its collapse and destruction. Crafting weapons, clothes, armors, tools, and vehicles are all a possibility in the gameplay while trying to survive. To do this, player must scavenge for the items or parts and can craft it.

There are over 30 kinds of zombies in the game each having distinct characteristics and strengths. In general, they can climb, dig, destroy walls and doors to kill the player. Various forms of combats can be performed and defenses such as traps can be set up by the player to kill them. Players try to survive not only from zombies but from the environment as well with its feature of weather changes from hot to cold resulting to over 45 possible character ailments. Quests are also given to players to find treasures and gain skills.

The multiplayer mode can be played through player-hosted servers or hosting providers. Wide Area Network is also supported. The multiplayer modes feature two modes as well: Survival and Creative. In this mode, players can cooperate in building shelters or compete against each other through raiding settlements. Creative mode offers around 400 in-game items and 1,200 building blocks for crafting and building.

7 Days to Die was able to garner positive reviews and feedback with over 1.5 million copies sold on PC.